Key Takeaways
- A record 22.6 million Americans plan to skip work on Super Bowl Monday, according to a recent survey from HR software provider UKG.
- More than half of those skipping work are taking a pre-approved day off, while nearly 15% are calling in sick and another 15% are simply “ghosting” work.
- An increasing number of Americans support making Super Bowl Monday a national holiday.
Nearly everyone has at one point or another skipped work the day after a long night. But has America ever seen a mass-hooky event like this?
A record 22.6 million Americans plan to skip work Monday after staying up late to watch the Kansas City Chiefs face off against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL‘s Super Bowl LIX, according to a recent survey from HR software provider UKG.
The last time the Chiefs and Eagles faced off at the Super Bowl, in 2023, 18.8 million people said they were skipping work the next day. And last year, when the Chiefs took on the San Francisco 49ers, a comparatively meager 16.1 million people said they planned to play hooky.
More than half of those planning to skip work (12.9 million) say they’ll be taking a pre-approved vacation day, while 4.8 million plan to swap shifts with a co-worker. The remainder are going to call in “sick” (3.2 million) or skip out on work without telling anyone (also 3.2 million). And on top of the millions taking the day off, an additional 12.9 million say they’ll go in late on Monday.
Even those who plan to work on Monday expect the Super Bowl to make them less productive. UKG found that 40% of Super Bowl watchers—including nearly 50% of managers—anticipate being distracted on Monday by media coverage of the big game.
Push To Make Super Bowl a Holiday Gathers Momentum
The data could support arguments for making the day after the Super Bowl a national holiday, an idea that’s become more popular in recent years. According to UKG, 43% of employed Americans think Super Bowl Monday should be a national holiday, up from 37% last year.
Some municipalities have taken steps in that direction. Cincinnati Public Schools canceled classes the day after the hometown Bengals played the Los Angeles Rams in 2022. This year, two New Jersey districts near Philadelphia have said schools will open two hours late on Monday to give students and parents time to sleep in.
No such luck across the Delaware River in Philadelphia, where schools will keep a normal schedule. Why? A superintendent’s Super Bowl superstition had a lot to do with it. Philadelphia school district Superintendent Tony Watlington announced the decision on Thursday and explained: In 2023, the district delayed school by two hours, and the Eagles lost; in 2018, schools opened at the normal time and the Eagles won.
“I hope all of you enjoy the game with friends and family, and cheer on our Eagles safely. And I look forward to seeing you back at school and work on Monday,” Watlington said.